HONOLULU -- The Blaisdell Arena was bustling with young scientists Saturday at the annual First Lego State Championships, an unusual competition that helps steer youngsters toward science.

"We hope they get excited about science and technology, that they see this as the beginning of the path of new challenges and new experiences," said Sara Tamayose, of Hawaii First Lego League.

Tamayose said the students also learn that there is more than one solution to a problem.

The highlight of the state Lego competition is the robot matches, in which 48 teams work to build and program Lego robots to accomplish different tasks on various courses.

"It taught me a lot about how to build things and program things," said Cendall Manley of the Molokai Monarchs team. "It taught me a lot about computers."

This was the first year the Monarchs team has made it to the state competition.

The Lego league has become so popular that this year's event had a 34 percent increase in the number of teams participating.

The students are also rated on their solutions to transportation problems, a presentation of ideas and their teamwork.

"Everyone has worked really hard on this – extra hours. I think it's teamwork that we all got together and did it," Manley said.